Ready PA Monthly - August 2024

Back to School Safety

Keeping Kids Safe on Their Way to School

As parents, sending our kids off to school is a mix of excitement and concern. We want them to have great learning experiences, but their safety is always on our minds. Whether your child is riding the school bus or walking to school for the first time, here are some valuable tips to help ensure their safety.

First-Time School Bus Riders: What You Need to Know
Every school day, millions of kids travel by school bus. Interestingly, the school bus is among the safest vehicles on the road. Less than 1% of all traffic-related deaths involve children on school transportation. However, the greatest danger for children occurs when they are getting on or off the bus. Drivers, parents, and students need to be aware of school bus safety measures.

Here are some essential tips:

Arrive Early: Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
Stay Back: Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or roadway.
Cross Safely: Wait until the bus has stopped all traffic before approaching.
Board and Exit Carefully: Never push when getting on or off the bus. Always wait for the driver’s signal before boarding.
Visibility Matters: When crossing the street, walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you. Never cross behind the bus.
Dropped Items: If your child drops something, have them tell the bus driver immediately.
Stay Put: Never run after a bus if it has already left the stop.
Stay Seated: When the bus is moving, stay in your seat and face forward. Keep your head, arms, and hands inside the bus.
Listen and Be Quiet: Follow the bus driver’s instructions and talk quietly.
Emergency Exits: Never play with emergency exits. Ensure backpacks and other items don’t block the aisles or exits.
Stranger Safety: Teach your child not to talk to strangers at the bus stop or get into a car with someone they don’t know. Go straight home and inform a parent if a stranger approaches.

To learn more, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here.

Walking to School Safety Tips

If your child is walking to school this year, here’s how they can stay safe:

Dress Appropriately: Make sure your child is dressed for the weather and has the right accessories.
Use Sidewalks: Always walk on the sidewalk when available. If there’s no sidewalk, walk on the edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Crosswalk Safety: Use crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
Look Both Ways: Look left, right, and then left again before crossing the street.
Stay Alert: Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or parking lots.
Limit Distractions: Ensure your child isn’t using electronic devices while walking.

Safe driving tips and traffic regulation rules. Reduce speed, school bus stop ahead. Back view of a yellow bus and traffic flow. Links to School Bus Safety Tip Sheet.

Tips for Drivers

Even if you don’t have children in school, you play a crucial role in their safety. Here’s what you need to know:

Yellow Lights: Yellow flashing lights on a bus mean it’s preparing to stop. Slow down and get ready to stop.
Red Lights: Red flashing lights and a stop signal arm mean the bus has stopped to let children on or off. Stop your vehicle at least 10 feet before the bus and wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.
Fines and Penalties: Improperly passing a school bus can result in a $250 fine, a 60-day driver’s license suspension, and 5 points on your driving record.
School Zones: Obey all posted speed limits, especially in school zones where penalties for speeding are higher.

For more information, check out the School Bus Safety Tip Sheet. By staying informed and vigilant, we can help ensure our children have a safe journey to and from school every day.

Essential College Safety & Preparedness Tips

As the new college semester approaches, students are gearing up for a variety of living situations—whether it’s moving into dorm rooms, living off campus, or attending classes from home. No matter where you are, staying prepared and safe is crucial for a smooth transition into college life. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

Monitor the Weather. Always keep an eye on the weather forecast for your area. Being aware of potential hazardous weather and preparing accordingly can save you from unexpected troubles.

Have a Plan. It's vital to have a plan in place for emergencies, whether you're on or off campus. Here’s what you need to do:

Know Your Emergency Procedures: Familiarize yourself with the actions to take during weather events, active shooter situations, fires, etc.
Communicate: Talk to your classmates and parents to ensure everyone understands the plan.
Locate Emergency Resources: Know where the campus emergency phones or call boxes are and save the campus police phone number in your cell.
Receive Alerts: Sign up for college and local/state alerts. Make sure your cell phone is always charged to receive these alerts and for calling or texting for help.
Install Safety Apps: Apps like LiveSafe allow you to call campus police with one touch, track you via GPS and include panic buttons. These apps connect directly to campus security for monitoring.

Get Insurance. If you’re living on or off campus, insuring your belongings is a smart move. Rental insurance is affordable, averaging just over $10 a month in Pennsylvania, and offers peace of mind in case of fire, natural disasters, or accidents.

Internet Safety and Cybersecurity. With so much of college life happening online, protecting your data and devices is essential:

Secure Your Devices: Use strong passwords and lock your screens when not in use. Avoid opening suspicious emails and use multi-factor authentication and antivirus software.
Guard Your Personal Info: Be cautious on social media, keep passwords private, and avoid sharing sensitive information. Watch out for impersonators.
Be Safe with Communal Workstations: Avoid using portable drives on shared computers, use your own hotspot if possible, log out of websites, and erase browser history after use.
Perform Regular Updates: Update your devices, apps, and software as soon as updates are available. These updates often include important security fixes.

By following these tips, you can ensure a safer and more prepared transition into college life. Stay aware, stay secure, and enjoy your college experience!

Back-to-School Weather Safety Tips

As summer winds down and it's time to send the kids back to school, it is important they are prepared for various weather conditions. Whether catching the bus or heading off to college, these tips will help keep them safe this fall.

While schools have their own plans for dealing with weather hazards, there are steps you can take as a parent to help your child stay safe:

Check the Weather. Make it a habit to check the weather forecast regularly. Knowing about snow, severe storms, heavy rain, or extreme temperatures helps you prepare. Teach your kids how to stay safe during bad weather. You can get local updates from the National Weather Service by searching your zip code or town.
Sign Up for Alerts. Ensure you're signed up for weather alerts from both home and school. Many schools and third-party services offer notifications about severe weather and emergencies. Consider joining AlertPA or CodeRED for updates from government agencies.
Understand the School’s Plan. Schools have specific procedures for handling weather-related emergencies. Find out the plan for weather delays, cancellations, or evacuations. Make sure you know how to reunite with your child if there's an emergency. It’s important for your child to understand the plan too.

By preparing for weather-related challenges ahead of time, you can help ensure a smooth and safe start to the school year.

AUGUST TIP SHEET: BACK TO SCHOOL - SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

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